Jihadists linked to the Islamic State launched multiple attacks against Christians across northern Mozambique during September, killing civilians, kidnapping people and forcing thousands to flee their homes.

Jihadists linked to the Islamic State launched multiple attacks against Christians across northern Mozambique during September, killing civilians, kidnapping people and forcing thousands to flee their homes.

On September 6, gunmen kidnapped and killed a Christian in Cabo Delgado province. Days earlier, about 30-50 jihadists crossed into neighboring Nyasa province and burned down a Catholic church along with a police station, a government building, houses and other infrastructure.

The attack forced at least 2,700 people to flee the surrounding area, while subsequent attacks and fears of further jihadist violence caused further displacement.

The Islamic State of Mozambique has in the past specifically targeted Christians and Christian communities.

The Islamist insurgency in northern Mozambique began in 2017 and has since killed thousands of people and displaced more than a million. Register Visegrád24